Vibe Check #16 (January 2025)

Welcome to the 16th version of our vibe check (our first vibe check for 2025), where we discuss anything and everything related to Japan, anime, or anything else that comes to mind. I hope you have a happy reading!

WARNING: SINCE I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT ANIME, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS !! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!! 

Vibe Check #1: SAKAMOTO DAYS

As the year just started with a bang, the first thing I would want to do is to watch the current season of anime to start off 2025 right. 

The first anime series I've watched for 2025 is Sakamoto Days. Sakamoto Days is an anime series that tells the story of a retired hitman named Sakamoto who turned into a family man and a convenience store owner who's coming out of retirement to protect his wife and kids. I watched it because the concept is really interesting. No ecchi, no fanservice, and nothing sexual. Just pure action that's good to see. From snipping off the cigarette to protecting the family while fighting off a hitman at a carnival. 

The fighting scenes are nice, and they might improve as the season goes on. However, Sakamoto's oath of not killing anyone for the sake of her wife and child was touching. This was nice for Sakamoto since he can be super deadly despite holding back his power. I would watch the entire season because the fighting scenes are nice and the story is better! Hopefully, the anime series will improve as the season goes by. Knowing for sure there will be tons (and I mean TONS) of people going to cosplay later on in the year.

Vibe Check #2: Nintendo Switch 2

As someone who has the Animal Crossing version of the Nintendo Switch, I saw the news of the first look at the Nintendo Switch 2. Was I impressed? Somewhat, but I am concerned about the pricing of the Joy-Cons alone. When the first Nintendo Switch came out, the Joy-Cons would cost around $40.

As time went by, I remembered going to Walmart near my home and seeing the price jump from $40 to almost $80 with tax. It got me thinking, "If it's that expensive to get replacement Joy-Cons, what will the price be when the Nintendo Switch 2 comes out later in the year?"

Even though GTA VI would come out in the same period as the Nintendo Switch 2, hopefully, the rumors of GTA VI having a base price of $100 (or probably more) won't be able to influence the Nintendo games to increase the price as well. Buying the Nintendo Switch alone won't be that big of a hassle compared to getting the PS5, it's just the games would be a little difficult for me to juggle around.

Would I buy the Nintendo Switch 2? I am not fully sure at the moment. The hype is not that huge for me since I am already content with the first one, and as long as I have my Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Katamari Damacy game, then I should be fine until I decide to buy the new system or not.

That should be it for this month's version of Vibe Check. I do apologize for it to be short since the news hasn't been really nice for the entire month of January, so it's best for me to at least have some good news rather than talk about the bad news. There will be some more good news in the month of February, so stay tuned for next month's version of our Vibe Check.